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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Like the featured blogger post I did last week, I would like to provide a spotlight on local podcasters from the Orlando-area who discuss geek topics.

While not technically from the Orlando-area, the Slacker and The Man Podcast out of Wauchula hosts many events in-and-around town to count as “local”. The show, hosted by “The Man”, is a weekly discussion of nerd topics with a Monsters of the Morning vibe. Co-hosts Slacker and Dusty talk the latest in comics, movies, television, and gaming while mixing in “punishments” on show members who don’t hold their weight (i.e., stunts).

A popular show segment is "Deadliest Geek Warrior”, a take on the Spike TV show Deadliest Warrior, where the show members take two combatants from the geek community and measure their weapons, powers, and tactics to determine who would win in a showdown.

Episodes are recorded live on TalkShoe at 9pm on Sunday nights. For those who can’t listen in live, you can subscribe to via iTunes or RSS and get their new episodes on Monday evenings.

If you enjoy the show, Slacker and The Man will be hosting two events during Vulcan Events in Orlando in late-October. Check their website for more information.

Hey Comics Readers: Tired of the stigma of enjoying one of your favorite hobbies? Feel the need to hide-away the newest issue of Amazing Spider-Man because you don’t want anyone to know? Well no more, true believer!

August 28th marks International Read Comics in Public Day where you read comics… in public… internationally? Nonetheless be out and proud (think I stole that line from somewhere, but don’t know where), and celebrate at these local events!

Altamonte Springs

Cranes Roost Park – Behind Altamonte Mall

Starting at 10am

From their post:

“This Sunday, August 28th, is International Read Comics in Public Day. We’re doing a special edition of Chat and Chew at the late at Cranes Roost Park behind the Altamonte Mall. We’ll still be providing snacks and drinks. Briny your comics, bring your friends and their comics, and bring your cameras.”

As many comics fans know, industry stalwart DC Comics is undergoing a massive shift this week. Called “The New 52”, DC will be relaunching their entire comic line featuring their iconic characters with brand new histories and storylines. (For more background on The New 52, comic website iFanboy has a great website outlining what’s coming up. <Link>) Things kick off this week with the release of Flashpoint #5, the conclusion of DC’s Summer crossover event, and Justice League #1 which will launch this new generation of comics.

This transition marks a great jumping-on point for those interested in the stories of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the “DCU”. And, in celebration of Wednesday’s releases, many local comic shops are having midnight events to usher in the new era. Come out and talk to other comic fans and pick up the newest comics the moment they hit the shelves.

“Our normal business hours are 11 to 7 on Tuesday and 11 to 8 on Wednesday. Currently the plan is to be open from 11:30pm on Tuesday night until 12:30am on Wednesday morning. We can start selling copies of Justice League #1 (regular and variants) and Flashpoint #5 (regular and variants) starting at 12 midnight on Wednesday the 31st. From 11:30pm until 12:30am we will have some light refreshments, FREE SWAG BAGS (comics, posters, pins, and other goodies). Plus ALL DC Comics Back Issues, Trade Paperbacks, Hardcovers, Graphic Novels, and Comic Sets will be on SALE with BIG discounts that are on par with our Black Friday event.”

These are the only ones I see thus far, but if you know of another shop in the area hosting an event, feel free to let me know at grandowl@ggorlando.com. Meanwhile, here’s a trailer to whet your appetite.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sorry for the lack of updates... Maybe doing the soft-launch of Generation Geek - Orlando two weeks before I take Finals was not the best of planning on my part. I choose to blame Geeq Shuq for pushing me to launch before I was ready. Hopefully won't slip into the same pattern I did with my personal blog, AOwL.com.

So one thing that I thought I'd cover real quick is kind of the "limits" of Generation Geek. Yes, the intent is to bring the Orlando geek community together, but you may question what I consider the "Orlando-area" and what I consider "geek". Here's a little clue about my thought pattern... I don't f'in care! When I talk about Orlando, I tend to speak of the Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia County areas. But, as you will see later, my featured podcasters for today aren't from that geographic area, so I play fast-and-loose with my own rules. And as to what's "geek", I'm more than open to considering pretty much anything. If it's something that people are passionate about, I'm guessing it's geek.

Just some additional housekeeping notes:

I'm currently looking for local comic shops that are doing special midnight launch parties next week for DC's release of The New 52. Already have information for Winter Park's A Comic Shop and Sanford's Comic Central. If you know of any others, feel free to e-mail me at grandowl@ggorlando.com.

My little social media contest will likely launch over the weekend or early next week. Keep an eye out on Twitter (@ggorlando) or on our Facebook page for more details. One prize will be free tickets to Universal Orlando.

One of my ideas for the blog will be a section called "Just 4 N00bs" where I will have an expert in some geeky-related topic write a quick synopsis for other geeks who may not be interested. Any one want to volunteer to write a topic? Hit me up at grandowl@ggorlando.com. I will likely write up the first one when I can think of a good topic.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Each week here at Generation Geek - Orlando, I would like to feature a different "geek" blogger from the area who deserves attention. For our first featured blogger, I present Ryan Macdonald - former host of The Talk Nerdy Show podcast - who's now writing a personal blog, My Life as a Geek.

I’ve been wanting, for some time now, to take action in the industry I invest so much time into and do something active within it. Being that my attempts at creating my own comic book are far from realized I can’t add to the industry. But what I can do is bring awareness about it. For starters, with digital comics becoming same day as release of the print version we’re, inevitably going to see a decrease in print sales. That decrease in sales could eventually lead to driving local comic shops out of business and then what’ll we be left with? Not a @#!*% thing.

I come to you with this, friends. My Life as a Geek’s “Spread the Geek” project. I propose that you scrounge your long boxes and book shelves for books that you haven’t looked at or even thought about in months. Look for those titles that brought you back into the game when you weren’t sure you wanted to keep on going. Buy a new graphic novel, for all I care. The point is, put it in a box and send it to someone you know that doesn’t have the exposure to this stuff that you do, that you think might enjoy it. Buy an extra copy of something and give it to some kid who’s walking in as you’re leaving. The idea is to spread comics out across the nation, maybe even the world, who knows. But I offer this task at the same time; when you spread the word, request that the person you’re sharing with do the same. If you’re sending out a comics care package, offer a keepsake of some kind. Buy a print from your favorite artist (geek or otherwise). And help them get some more recognition that you’ve always felt they so rightly deserve. It’s one thing to say “I wish this got more recognition.” It’s something completely different to give it that recognition. So, when you’re sending your comics send a note that instructs the recipient to do the same, send or give the same books and the letter to someone else.

I’ll be boxing up my care packages tonight. One is going to my cousin who’s a first year college student at FSU and can afford to hit the cafeteria for his meals and not much else. So, since he’s got some time between studying I’m gonna send him some of my favorite books to read. The other box is yet to be determined. Someone will be receiving it but I don’t know who yet. Regardless, as I select the comics and keepsakes I’m sending I’ll take a couple of photos and post them in a follow up post.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Just over 12 hours old and I already realized I messed some stuff up. Here are some updates:

Yes, as you can tell, the layout that I used is super-generic. That is on purpose, but don't be surprised if you come back and the design is all jacked-up, I'm probably updating it. As I'm no graphic designer it may take a couple of weeks (or months) for me to get the blog's layout the way I like it. So stay tuned. Meanwhile, just want give a shout-out to my good friend and former roommate Mike Adamson, who was the designer of the Generation Geek - Orlando logo.

Secondly, the first blog post mentions an e-mail sign-up form... Yea, I haven't finished building that in MailChimp yet. Keep a look out for that later this week. First e-mail will likely go out in a month when I have a chance to build up some content. Just some further info on what the e-mails will be, they will hopefully be a semi-monthly update with a feature section spotlighting something cool in the geek community with another section of upcoming events.

OK then, here are some more fun updates.

Follow our Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ggorlando. Also, if you'd like to contribute to the conversation, use #GeeksUnited. Finally, I'd like the Twitter thread to have the voice of some of it's users. Thus, if you use the #GeeksUnited hashtag, I may retweet it.

Also "Like" our Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Generation-Geek-Orlando/144664412268455. See how long that link is? Doesn't that suck? Well, to get to the 25 fans I need to shorten that up I'll be having a Facebook membership drive later this week with rewards for those who help me out. Have some Spotify invites to give out and, I dunno, some UNIVERSAL ORLANDO TICKETS! So check back in later this week for details.

That's it for now! Thanks to all of the early adopters. Look forward to helping build this community up.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

From Sanford to Poinciana, and from Clermont to Bithlo, the Orlando area has a thriving geek community. But if you live on one side of town, you may miss out on a great event on the other side. That’s where Generation Geek wants to step in.

The mission of Generation Geek – Orlando is to provide a one-stop resource to get the local news, activities, and major geek events throughout Central Florida. From major events like Nerdapalooza and Megacon to a local sci-fi club meeting, the goal is to make it easier to find what interests you.

But I must call on you! The site is kind of barren and I have to ask you to help fill it up with geeky goodness.

Shop Owners: Have an upcoming book signing or event, send it in. We’d love to help you promote it.

Musicians: Lovers of nerdcore will check us out, so have them come check you out by sending in your upcoming gigs.

Clubs: Boost your membership by letting us know about yourselves and when and where your meetings are held. We’ll get the word out.

Podcasters: Want more subscribers for your show? We’re more than willing to post your most recent episodes.